Borderlands

Offers free gym access to Asylum Seekers for 6 months.

Please read the eligibility criteria listed at the top of the application form carefully as it is quite specific. Full criteria can be found on the referral form but the person must be an asylum seeker in receipt of asylum support (S95, S4 etc) and must be living in a Bristol Local Authority post code.

Please be aware there is usually a very long waiting list for this service, we kindly request you make your referee aware of this to manage expectations (on average a 2 month wait)

We focus on basic language and literacy skills for the members in greatest need of help.

We run classes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays for Pre-Entry and Entry 1 students. We also have a poetry group for higher levels at 10:30am on Wednesday morning.

Classes are open to all asylum seekers and refugees but when our classes are at capacity priority will be given to those without other education options e.g. someone who has not yet been in the country for 6 months

If we cannot accommodate someone in our classes we will do our best to look at other education options for them.

How to access

Classes can be accessed by emailing or by registering at our Monday or Tuesday Welcome Centre between 10.30am and 12.30pm

Get ready to kick off with our football sessions every Thursday from 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm. To book a place contact Francisco at 07935484110. Bus passes are NOT covered.

Our mentoring project pairs up refugees and asylum seekers with volunteers over a 6-month period to provide one-to-one emotional and practical support.

Come and sew, speak English and learn with us! All the materials are provided. For refugee and asylum seeker women only. For referrals and more information, please contact Dawn at Bridges for Communities.

Our social supermarket is open every Tuesday from 10am to 11am where members can collect fresh fruit and vegetables as well as other food essentials.

How to access
Service members must complete an assessment and then will be added to a waiting list until a space comes available. Assessments can be requested via our Welcome Centre every Monday and Tuesday between 10am and 12.30pm

Our Welcome Centre is an open and safe space for asylum seekers and refugees to make connections and build community. All our varied activities that we hold during our Welcome Centre help our members to establish belonging in their new home in Bristol. We provide practical signposting support to our members who present us with their challenges or concerns. We want to ensure our members have access to the right information and support services to help them as they navigate the complex asylum and immigration systems. Social Space every Tuesday from 11am to 2pm: We have board games, art, laptops and a football table available to our members. A hot halal meal is served at 1pm. Our doors close at 2pm.

Our work relies on our volunteers!

We love their commitment, expertise and energy to welcome and support refugees and asylum seekers. Our volunteers come from diverse backgrounds including professionals, retired people, students, refugees and asylum seekers.

We have volunteering opportunities for mentoring, english classes, marketing and fundraising as well as roles at our welcome centre.

How to access

Complete the form on our website.

Our drop-in Welcome Centre offers a safe place for refugees and asylum seekers to meet and provides weekly community meals, signposting support and more.

Mondays 10-12: Register as a member, get advice, signposting support, tea and coffee available.

Social Space every Tuesday from 11am to 2pm: We have board games, art, laptops and a football table available to our members. A hot halal meal is served at 1pm. Our doors close at 2pm.

How to access

Drop in.

Bella, the yoga teacher, offers a relaxing space where women from different backgrounds can unwind through movement, breathing and meditation. To join, just turn up or email ahead to check capacity.